Sinner appeared to be struggling with illness or an injury at times as he found a way to get past Atmane, with this latest win securing his 200th tour-level win on hard courts as he extended his unbeaten streak on the surface to 26 matches.
“It was a very, very tough challenge,” said Sinner. “Every time you play against something completely new, it’s difficult, but playing against this guy in the later stages of a tournament is even more difficult.
“The pressure is higher and you know they deserve to be there… He has beaten incredible players throughout his wins.
“I knew that I had to be very careful, and my mindset was in a good spot. I felt like I handled the situations on the court very well.
“He was serving incredibly well in the first set. He has huge, huge potential, and I think we saw that in the tournament.”
Sinner’s latest win ensured he fended off a rising Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Rankings and he went on to take part in a jovial post-match interview on the tennis channel, where he was given a birthday cake to toast his special day.
“I’m always here on my birthday and it is a special place,” said Sinner. “I made a good present to myself. Everything went very well today. It’s going to be very special to play in a final on Monday here.”
Atmane may have been frustrated after pressing Sinner hard in the opening set, but the Frenchman should be encouraged by the best week of his career so far.
He is on course to rise a stunning 67 places in the updated ATP Rankings to a new career high of No. 69 and he will be a player to watch when he takes up his place in the main draw at the US Open later this month.
As for Sinner, he will look to defend his Cincinnati title on Monday before a rapid turnaround the next day, when he is due to be in New York for the US Open mixed doubles, where he is due to team up with America’s Emma Navarro.
It remains to be seen how realistic it is for Sinner to travel from Cincinnati to New York for what feels like an exhibition event at the US Open site on Tuesday, with the Italian set to make a call on his participation over the next couple of days.
Sinner faces Alcaraz in the final, who defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday night.
